Hello,

I normally send solicited messages based on the ads that users have engaged with but when it comes to addressing a malay woman, I'm not sure if I should address as CIK or PUAN (as I have no idea if they are married and obviously couldn't ask that question in the first part of my message).

Any idea? In English, I could simply address as madam, Ma'am or even Ms.
But is CIK acceptable as a generic term in addressing a malay woman?

Thanks

mostly i saw puan

This post has been edited by lalakiki: May 24 2023, 04:35 PM

hahah....true...
Cant say Dear XXX,

usually I just put in Fullname without binti
Hi Full name,
XXXX
This approach no wrong....but less polite...

For you, i vote for PUAN

But CIK/PUAN okay too?

This post has been edited by taitianhin: May 24 2023, 04:36 PM

Either way is ok.

For example, in government sector; the standard term will always be PUAN, no matter their marital status.

In normal condition, young woman below the age of 40 normally acceptable to the term CIK regardless of their marital status.

Over 40 normally ok if using PUAN or KAK (Kakak).

We are not too rigid about it.

Puan is more formal and accepted regardless of marital status

If in doubt, use Puan.

We call everyone Tuan-tuan dan Puan-puan, tak ada cik-cik.

Tuan/Puan....... settle everything

Betul, betul, betul.

PUAN is the way

Follow Indon...use Ibu or Bu..

Cik is safer.
unmarried woman dont want to be called Puan. while alot of married woman dont mind to be called Cik, if they does, they will correct you.

But if you know their marital status, call Puan for married person and Cik on unmarried person.

Puan cannuse generally but younger unmarried chicks get annoyed when we say puan. So i refer woman as cik puan to fullfill woman ego.

If you want to build repo, use Cik. Woman like we assume them younger even thou they are already makcik level.

But if she is someone with title, please address them correctly especially those Datin / Datuk bayar type

keep it simple la....female = cik and male = encik

even in western they hardly use madam, its kinda rude, especially at service center unless its a elderly person

Wait.

You know how to differentiate between miss and madam. So of course you will know when to use cik or puan.

Miss = cik
Madam = puan.

If you do not know, and need to use either cik or puan, use cik. Its more flattering to be called miss instead of madam.

If not madam then what, in Dear Sir/Madam ?

By default try Pn, unless she’s teens or students.

Of course you’ll hit the landline of some andatu but that’s rare and no way to avoid.

The abrev of MS. is created to play safe and address both.

Puan if married. Cik for younger

I suppose cik is the go to term. Some times I use chat enquiry and those CS reps on the other side have the tendency to address me as Cik Chan. I guess my name is too feminine they assumed I'm amoi, but I digress

mak cik

My boss like to play safe - he called all unknown ladies CIKPUAN. Then the lady will correct him either Cik / Puan.

Puan

if young, then cik, if old, kak or puan :X

Cik/Puan will be acceptable.

Imformally I would address them Adik or Dik..

Not only when face to face, we address CIK/PUAN in corporate email too.

However in formal we address PUAN. Government letters all put PUAN only, no CIK. If don't know the gender, TUAN/PUAN.

Señorita

This is a nice approach, and it is brilliant !

Always go for CIK. Those aunty will smile like no tomorrow when you call them cik

apa susah,

if low rank, clerk/salesgirl, cik

if shes a higher rank,a boss/manager/leader, puan

basically cik is informal, puan is formal.

Rule of thumb regardless of race is that women always felt more discriminated when you called them according to their age.

Once a long time ago where I worked as data entry in Citibank. There was a sweet malay lady who was married with two kids. I have been calling her kak but once day she suddenly told me dont call me kak. Even ask my age and indeed she was 1 year younger than me.

For female (Ms) very safe unless she request for title like Tun or Tan Sri. For male (Mr). Been doing this for the past 12 years lol. So far no complaint.

Puan for females irrespective of status. Cik is for unmarried female. Use puan unless they say they aren't married which is a hint to use cik

Wow all malay ladies i met, as long as they are older, even older by 15 minutes, they still want you to use kak.

I guess they like to dominate

Don't use Puan...use Cik instead

CIK

It all depends on the purpose and context of the conversation.

CIK works well for me in formal situations

DAYANG/SAYANG works well for all other situations

Cik/Puan both also fine. If you are addressing female government workers normally use Puan.

I guess if you want to play safe, put "Puan/Cik"

how did you address her, after? by name only?

Cik, Puan, Kak, Datin, Datin Seri, Puan Sri, Toh Puan

Call Cik for ladies (if you not sure shes married or not)
Puan if you know shes married

Encik/Tuan for guys